After an executive session at a special council meeting Sept. 27, Helper officials accepted an agreement resolving a dispute regarding the city's garbage collection contract. Under the terms of the negotiated agreement, Helper's garbage collection fees will increase $2.15 per residential can and 63 cents per yard for commercial waste hauled from locations within the city limits. The residential can fee accepted by the city is 2 cents lower than the increase initially requested by the sanitation company.

Along with accepting the company's proposed increases for the remaining term of existing contract, Helper officials executed a seven-year extension clause included in the agreement. In exchange for the city's withdrawal of all legal actions, the company will forego a 15 escalation fee next year.